DMAC Holds Free Blood Sugar Screening
DMAC Holds Free Blood Sugar Screening – Blood Sugar Screening | Divine Mother and Child Foundation, a non-governmental organisation whose focus is in maternal and child health has held a free screening exercise for people of the New Juaben Municipality in Koforidua.
This was to mark the World Diabetes Day which falls on November 14, each year.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 450,000 Ghanaians are living with diabetes.
A 2015 report indicated that 75 per cent of the cases, remained undiagnosed, posing an increased danger of complications for people living with diabetes unaware.
It is also estimated in the report that the number was likely to reach 820,000 by the year 2035, due to the ageing and expanding population, with diabetes accounting for 8.6 per cent of deaths from all causes in adults.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, it is not that simple to say that eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
Blood Sugar Screening
This is because type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors trigger the onset of the disease while type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.
Being overweight does increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain.
Research has however shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes.
Another grossly exaggerated claim about diabetes is that people who are overweight eventually get diabetes.
Blood Sugar Screening
The fact is being overweight is just one of the risk factors for developing diabetes.
There are other factors, such as family history, race or ethnicity, and even age.
By understanding all the risk factors involved, one may better understand his/her overall risk and the habits one can change to be healthier overall.
One myth that ought to be dismissed immediately is that diabetes is contagious.
According to the CEO of the organization, Edmund Duodu Atwei, the NGO’s outreach programme’s overarching aim “is to improve on early detection of diabetes that is ravaging through this country, to control the disease in their victims and prevent the needless loss of lives due to diabetes, irrespective of the type”.
In all 153 people attended.
2 were known and diagnosed diabetics.
2 other people were referred to the health facility for management and treatment.
83 of the attendants were from the municipality while the others came from outside the municipality.
Joy Industries Limited was the main sponsor for the event.
Source: Ghana Health News
